Clothespin



C. J. INGERSOLL.

C LOTHESPIN. APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1920- I 314mm! lo'c a. J Lye-5056.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

2 'SHEETSSHEET 1.

C. J. INGERSOLL.

CLOTHESPIN.

APPLICATION FILED APR-511920.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

CHARLES JAMES INGERSOLL, or nousroiv, TEXAS.

CLOTHESPIN.

Application filed April 5,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES J. INGERSOLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Houston, in the county of Harris and state of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothespins. of which,

the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in clothes pins.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clothes pin which is simple to operate, durable in use and cheap to manufacture. I

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure 1 is a perspective of one form of the improved clothes pin applied,

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the clothes pin suspended from a clothes line,

Fig. 3 is an elevation of a slightly modified form of the invention,

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the device illustrated in Fig. 3,

Fig. 5 is an edge elevation of a further modification of the invention suspended from a clothes pin,

Fig. 6 is an edge elevation of the device illustrated in. Fig. 5, the same being shown applied to a clothes pin,

Fig. 7 is a perspective of the device illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective of a further modification of the invention,

9 is an edge elevation of a still further modification of the invention,

Fig. 10 is a perspective of the device illustrated in Fig. 9.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration are shown several preferred embodiments of the invention, the numeral 15 designates a length of spring wire from whichthe clothes pin illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 is constructed. The length of spring wire 15 is bowed intermediate its ends to form a pair of spring arms 16 and an approximately oval shaped loop 17 which tends to add a degree of resiliency to the arms 16 which as clearly illustrated in the several figures of the drawings are crossed at their upper ends. The arms 16 are bowed 0r bent to form gripping portions 18. With Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 21, 1922. 1920. Serial No. 371,512.

reference to the several figures it will be observed that the portions 18 extend upwardly and inwardly toward each other and then substantially parallel, the free ends of the sald portions terminating approximately at the point of intersection of the arms-so that they are prevented from catchmg in the clothes when the device is applied. The extremities of the portions 18 also terminate between the arms 16 and directly 1n the plane of the loop so that they are further prevented from engaging the clothes.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Flgs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 the device is generally deslgnated by the numeral 20 and as in the other form of the invention is formed from a length of round spring wire. As illustrated in Fig. the wire is coiled intermedlate its ends to form a loop 21 and a pair of outwardly diverging spring arms 22 coiled as at 23 to provide portions 24 which correspond to the portions 18 in the previously described form and provide between them a gradually restricted entrance openmg 25 for the clothes line and the clothes suspended therefrom. The convolutions 21 and 23 add to the resiliency of the arms 22 and portions 24 so that they will securely grip the articles engaged and be prevented from accidental displacement. One of the portions 24 is extended rearwardly at right angles to the plane of the arms 22 to form an attaching member 26 which as illustrated in Fig. 7 is formed with an eye 28. A split loop 29 has engagement with the eye 28 and has its end portions overlapped as indicated at 30 so that the loop may be engaged with the clothes line by merely spreading the overlapped portions. As illustrated in Fig. 6 the overlapped portions 30 are slightly diverged so as to. form a guide for the clothes line. By this construction the loop 29 may be readily and very conveniently secured to the clothes lines 1without the necessity of taking down the It will be observed that the portions 24 terminate approximately at the crossed portions of the arms 22 and are therefore prevented from engaging and possibly tearing the clothing suspended from the line. This is also true of the device illustrated in Fig. 8 wherein the portions 24 are extended inwardly from the arms 22 and have their upper portions disposed between the arms 24.

In this form of the invention, however, the coils 23 are dispensed with and the flexibility of the arms is relied upon in cooperation with the eonvolutions of the loop 21 to securely grip the clothes suspended from the line.-

in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the length of wire from which the device is formed is generally designated by the numeral 33 and is bowed intermedi-' ate its ends to form a pair of spring arms 34 which are crossed adjacent their upper ends to form an approximately oval shaped loop 35. The loop 35 forms an attaching member and also serves to yieldably resist separation of the arms. The wire is bent to provide portions 36 corresponding to the portions 18 previously described. It is preferred to dispose the extremities of the portions 36 between the crossed portions of the arms. 34 so as to effectively prevent injury to the clothes engaged. ()ne of the portions 36 is extended rearwardly at right angles to the plane of the arms 3i so as to provide an attaching member 38 having its rear end portion formed with an eye 39. The eye 39 carries a split loop 40 having its end portions overlapped so as to form a means whereby the same may be readily attached to a clothes line.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 3 and 'l the arms 34 and portions 36 are joined by coils 44 which serve the same purpose as the coils 23 heretofore described. As illustrated in Fig. 4, the rear end portion of the attaching member 38 has its eye 39 provided with an elongated split loop 4L6 having its end portions overlapped as indicated at 47 so as to provide a means whereby the loop may be conveniently applied to a clothes line.

With reference to the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be observed that a clothes pin constructed in accordance with this invention may be readily and securely attached to a clothes line for securing the clothes in position. It will be further observed that by disposing the upper ends of the inner spring arms between the crossed portions of the outer arms the clothes are prevented from being engaged with the upper ends of said inner spring arms and possibly torn.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as the preferred examples of the same and that such minor changes in arrangement and construction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A clothes pin comprising a length of resilient wire bent intermediate of its ends to form edgewise opposing spring arms having crossed shank portions forming a connecting spring loop above their point of intersection and by its resiliency resisting lateral separation of the arms, the arms below their point of intersection being extended downwardly along diverging lines and being then bent to provide portions extending upwardly and inwardly toward each other and then substantially parallel, the substantially parallel portions extending approximately to the point of intersection of the arms, all portions of the arms and the said loop occupying approximately a common plane.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES JAMES INGERSOLL. [L. s.] 

